ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has expressed his disapproval of the upcoming professional boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, criticizing the decision to sanction the bout and calling for Paul to face a modern, reputable fighter.
Stephen A. Smith of ESPN isn’t exactly jumping for joy over the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout. He’s not too thrilled about it being a sanctioned professional boxing match.
A spokesperson from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) confirmed the news on Monday. They’ve given the green light for the fight to be a professional contest. This means it’ll count on both fighters’ pro records.
The Paul vs. Tyson fight is set to be a headline event. It’s happening on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. And guess what? Netflix subscribers can stream the card live.
This bout is Tyson’s first professional one since his loss to Kevin McBride. That was way back in 2005.
Smith shared his thoughts on First Take this week. He was pretty blunt, saying, “I’m sad, I’m saddened by it. I’m disgusted by it. I don’t like it one bit.”
He’s not trying to discredit Mike Tyson, who he says we all treasure for his years of greatness. But Tyson is 57.
And Jake Paul? The only real fighter he’s fought has been Tommy Fury. And Fury isn’t exactly considered top-tier. Smith points out that Paul has been training with professional boxing trainers for years. But when will he step into the ring with a modern, reputable fighter?
Smith’s not dismissing Tyson’s power. He knows Tyson can hurt anybody. But Tyson hasn’t been fighting. And Jake Paul hasn’t fought any real, ranked professional boxers. So, why should this be a sanctioned boxing match?
The TDLR approved the bout for pro status “with certain waivers.” These include the fight happening over eight, two-minute rounds. Both fighters will be wearing 14-ounce gloves.
Smith isn’t a fan of the bout being set up this way. But he does give Paul credit for expanding the sport’s fan base. He also wants Paul to pick a path for his continued growth as a boxer.
Smith appreciates Jake Paul and what he’s doing for boxing. He’s bringing attention to the sport and showing you can promote yourself. But he also wants Paul to take this seriously.
If Paul wants the money, Smith says, “keep doing your thing.” But if it’s about more than that, if it’s about elevating his level, then he needs to fight someone his own age and size.
Smith suggests Paul fight lesser guys who are challengers. This way, he can see how he measures up against them. He doesn’t need to go in the ring with someone like Canelo Alvarez, Dmitry Bivol, or Artur Beterbiev. But he could fight guys who are actually fighting professionally in the modern day era.